Chapter 163
All In The Family.
“Clearly, someone leaked our design,” Serena said before the executives and board members of VanderMed Technologies.
After arriving in Rexam, she and Silas had gone straight to the office, reviewed the article published by their competitor, and confirmed it was the same design she and her research team had developed for an advanced Al-powered massage chair.
“We will be conducting a thorough internal investigation,” Silas said evenly. “Every access log, every communication, every draft history. We will find out who leaked this information. Vendor partners will also be investigated p>
“And when we do,” he continued, his voice cold with restraint, “there will be consequences. Legal. Financial. Personal p>
“Why is the company facing problems right now?” James Brooks, one of the shareholders, demanded. “What if this reaches the public? What if it affects our stock prices p>
Silas turned to him.
“If it reaches the public,” Silas said, “it will be because someone in this room failed to keep their mouth shut p>
“And let me be very clear,” Silas added. “VanderMed does not panic over unfounded claims. We respond with facts, action, and control p>
Murmurs rose around the table.
Silas raised one hand.
The room fell silent.
“Our legal team is already reviewing patent timelines,” he said. “Our IP counsel is preparing formal objections. Until further notice, no one speaks to the press or external partners without my authorization p>
His eyes hardened. “Anyone who does will be treated as part of the problem p>
“Listen to Silas,” Sterling reminded the board members. “He is our CEO. He is in that position for a reason p>
“Yes, you seem to have forgotten that Silas has led this company exceptionally since his takeover,” Serena’s uncle, Melvin, spoke. “Don’t let this one-off issue define his leadership, or Serena’s integrity p>
“One-off issue?” James Brooks said. “What about the Montgomerys? What about the kickbacks our sales managers have been receiving? If it weren’t for Melvin approaching the affected clients, they might have gone public, and our company’s image would have been affected p>
Yes, the issue of the kickbacks and the overpriced upgrade to Vanguard had been resolved by their uncle. Melvin had gone out of his way to settle with the clients, even before Silas could.
“I acted after speaking with Sterling,” Melvin responded. “I acted on behalf of the company-on behalf of Silas and Sterling. Whatever solution I offered represented Silas and Sterling p>
“You are being modest, Melvin,” James said, and two other board members echoed.
“It is just normal,” Sterling said. “We are a family. Melvin is my brother. As a family, we help each other face a crisis p>
“What matters is not who spoke to which client first,” Sterling said evenly. “What matters is that the issue was contained, the clients stayed, and the company’s reputation remains intact p>
“The kickbacks were stopped. The pricing was corrected. The Montgomerys are no longer in a position to even be part of this meeting,” Silas spoke next, his voice firm and reassuring. “That chapter is closed. And it will remain closed p>
“Now,” Silas said, shifting the focus, “let’s return to the matter that actually requires our attention—the patent situation. That is where this board’s energy belongs p>
The meeting lasted longer than it should have, but thankfully, everyone was able to find common ground.
The executives and board members left. Inside the conference room, only Silas, Sterling, Serena, and Melvin remained.
“Don’t worry, brother,” Melvin said, turning to Sterling. “After our lawyers confirm who filed the patent first, we should be able to face Synerva Health Tech and put them in their place. I’m just glad my family and I came back from our vacation just in time to help address this crisis p>
Synerva Health Tech was their competitor, also based in Rexam. They had never come up with a genuinely original medical technology, so they never measured up to VanderMed Technologies.
Serena was silent the entire time. When Silas noticed this, he asked, “What’s bothering you p>
“Even if we prove that we filed for the patent first, they’ve already seen the design,” Serena said. “Synerva Health Tech are copycats. They’re just going to create their own version of it p>
She sighed, leaning back and massaging her temples.
“You are thinking,” Silas remarked.
“Of course I am,” Serena replied. “But I want to keep my thoughts to myself for now p>
Serena grabbed her brother’s hand and then turned to her father and uncle. “What I can assure you is that Synerva Health Tech will never be better than us p>
Melvin gave a confused smile, but eventually said, “I trust you, Serena. You were the talent behind Vanguard, and that machine gave us billions and billions of dollars p>
“Serena, I heard that you’ve
reconnected with the children’s
father. Iwas so surprised when I
learned that your ex-husband is Nathaniel Thorne,” Melvin said. “Are you rekindling your past relationship p>
That question made Sterling frown.
Serena cleared her throat. “No, Uncle. We’re co-parenting. He’s good with the kids. We’re getting along p>
“And you’re working together on the case against the Holt family and Victor Kline,” Melvin clarified.
“We have a common rival, yes, so we’re working together on that,” Serena acknowledged.
“Melvin already knows that we suspected Victor of facilitating your kidnapping. It’s just a shame we weren’t able to pursue legal action,” Sterling informed her. “But p>
Sterling turned to Melvin. “We’re hoping the investigation into the Holts will lead us to answers p>
“But Victor’s gone. What more can you achieve by digging deeper into the kidnapping case?” Melvin asked.
Serena and Sterling looked at each other. Silas met their eyes as well.
“We wanted closure,” Silas
answered. “And if there are any accomplices to Serena’s kidnapping, we want to know. We suffered during those years of Serena’s
absence always searching
mother longing p>
“And of course, since the Holts were
somewhat responsible for the Eastwind Air 1016 crash, we will support the criminal case against them, Sterling said. “They planned it because they believed Serena would be on that flight. Their feal target was my daughter p>
Serena nodded. “Unfortunately, it cost other innocent lives p>
Melvin shook his head. “I can’t believe such evil exists p>
“Serena, as your uncle, I’m so glad you didn’t take that flight—that you came here
with Xavier instead,” Melvin said. “We owe a lot to Xavier p>
She couldn’t agree more.
Xavier was her savior.
Serena had a lot on her mind. Wanting to let it all out, she went straight to see Alice
that afternoon. She told her about the situation at the company and what happened
in Velmon.
Serena gave Alice an info dump, but the only thing her best friend could react to
was:
“You had a one-night stand with your ex p>